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Four officers probed after suspect shot dead during Bukwo arrest
The incident happened in Kapchemoken parish, Brim subcounty, when officers from Giriki Police Station, working with local sub-county police, moved to arrest a male suspect.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma speaking during a weekly security briefing at Uganda Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, August 10, 2026. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
By: John Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police have opened an inquiry into four officers following the fatal shooting of a suspect during an attempted arrest at Chemusebe trading centre in Bukwo district.
The incident happened in Kapchemoken parish, Brim subcounty, when officers from Giriki Police Station, working with local sub-county police, moved to arrest a male suspect.
According to police, the suspect abandoned his motorcycle and fled after spotting the approaching officers.
The officers impounded the motorcycle and were engaging local leaders and the suspect’s relatives when he returned armed with stones and a piece of paper and confronted the team.
Despite his mother’s attempts to restrain him, the suspect allegedly threw stones at the officers, striking one of them.
“Police fired warning shots to deter the assault, but the suspect persisted in the attack and was fatally shot by responding officers,” police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma revealed during a weekly security briefing at Uganda Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday (August 10).
The suspect was rushed to Bukwo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Despite his mother’s attempts to restrain him, the suspect allegedly threw stones at the officers, striking one of them.
“Police fired warning shots to deter the assault, but the suspect persisted in the attack and was fatally shot by responding officers,” police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma revealed during a weekly security briefing at Uganda Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday (August 10).
The suspect was rushed to Bukwo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police confirmed that the four officers involved in the operation are under investigation to establish whether the use of live ammunition was necessary, proportionate and in accordance with standard operational procedures.
Kituuma cautioned members of the public against physically confronting or attempting to disarm armed officers on duty, warning of the risk of loss of life during such confrontations.
"Should there be any form of altercation or attempt to disarm officers... in that short span of time, a life can be lost," a police representative stated, pointing to previous fatal incidents in Oyam in northern Uganda, where a mob allegedly killed Constable John Bosco Nadinda in May 2025 during a police operation.
Police urged the public to remain calm during engagements with officers and said people who disagree with law enforcement actions should seek redress through official oversight channels rather than resorting to physical resistance.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Kituuma cautioned members of the public against physically confronting or attempting to disarm armed officers on duty, warning of the risk of loss of life during such confrontations.
"Should there be any form of altercation or attempt to disarm officers... in that short span of time, a life can be lost," a police representative stated, pointing to previous fatal incidents in Oyam in northern Uganda, where a mob allegedly killed Constable John Bosco Nadinda in May 2025 during a police operation.
Police urged the public to remain calm during engagements with officers and said people who disagree with law enforcement actions should seek redress through official oversight channels rather than resorting to physical resistance.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.